Adjustable and convertible hair holding device

ABSTRACT

The invention discloses a novel hair holding device that facilitates attachment of a section of hair into a ponytail while also reducing the difficulty with which it can be tighten or removed. The device is a band made of a flexible non-slippery material, preferably silicone, containing equidistant apertures at each extremity. These apertures are used to insert a dumbbell-shape attachment component in order to fasten and tighten hair in a ponytail or other hairstyles. The attachment portion of the device also is hollow allowing for the insertion of decorative signs or accessories. The device can also be converted into a fashionable bracelet and more rugged versions can be used to bundle cords or other miscellaneous objects.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No., filed Mar. 21, 2013.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to hair accessories. More specifically to the field of hair holder that efficiently and easily holds hair in place in a ponytail or other hairstyles. More particularly, the invention relates to a device that can be used as a hair tie and that can convert into a bracelet or that can be used to bundle various objects together.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Numerous devices have been designed to hold, tie or fasten hair in a ponytail or other hairstyles. For examples see hair holding devices described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,743,587; 3,595,249; 6,089,240; 6,257,249 and 6,311,699. Those devices range from elastic bands to more elaborate holding means such as clips, sticks, barrettes etc. In spite of the abundance of hair holding devices on the market, not many can efficiently hold hair in place while being easy to use. in addition few holders are aesthetically pleasing while being capable of efficiently, securely and adjustably hold hair in place. One of the most common and utilized device for fastening hair is a simple elastic band. The process requires the twisting and multiple re-insertion of the section of hair through the elastic bands in order to obtain the correct tension. This is not only difficult to achieve efficiently but it also causes, in the process, the pulling and tugging of the section of hair which can be very unpleasant. In addition, one of the most common issue with almost all the devices is their propensity to move off of their original positioning after being used for a while thus losing their hair holding capabilities. Barrettes often become unfastened during use and elastic bands loosen during movement, sport activities or when the hair gets wet. Some others devices which contain springs, claws and complex mechanisms are just too cumbersome especially when performing sports and aquatic activities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In contrast to hair holding devices of the prior art, the hair holding device of the present invention is composed of a flexible non-slippery band, preferably made of silicone, containing multiple opening along its surface and a hollow symmetrical dumbbell-shape attachment component. The dumbbell shape protrusions or discs at each end of the attachment portion are inserted in openings along the band in order to form a loop. This loop is used to fasten hair or other material in a bundle. The attachment component is hollow and can be decorated with the insertion of small ornamental designs or small three-dimensional objects to which small rods were attached.

The fastening process is simple and easy. It requires the insertion of one end of the dumbbell-shape attachment portion into an opening at one extremity of the band, folding over the band around the hair portion manually squeezed together in a pony-tail shape or bundle and then inserting the other end of the attachment in another opening located at the other extremity of the band. The band portion of the device possesses a natural curved shape which facilitates the folding over during the process of tying and allows for the easy insertion of the attachment. Adjustments can be achieved readily by inserting one of the attachment end to an opening closer or further from the extremity of the band. The unique and adjustable tightening system, as well as the non slippery nature of the silicone band, allow the section of hair to be effectively and very tightly secured in all circumstances and for a longer period of time without all the tugging and pulling of hair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the hair holding device which consists of rubber/silicone band containing various oval or circular apertures along its length. These openings are used to insert a dumbbell-shape attachment component at both extremities of the silicone band to form a loop that is used to fasten hair or other objects in a bundle.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the attachment component of the hair holding device with its hollow center (1) and a 3-D rendition of the dumbbell shape adapter components (2-5).

FIG. 3 is a 3-D rendition of the preferred embodiments of the apparatus showing the steps involved in the insertion of the attachment component (1) via a given circular opening (2) on the flexible band (3).

FIG. 4 is a visualization of the loop formation (1) and the motion to fasten the other extremity via the stretching of an opening on the other extremity of the flexible band (2) over the distal disc of the attachment component (3).

FIG. 5 depicted the mechanism where the size of the loop portion can be adjusted. In this example, the loop diameter is reduced by simply moving one of the extremities of the band laterally and inserting the distal protrusion of the dumbbell-shape attachment device into a more internal opening of the band.

FIG. 6 is an example of a stem-containing ornament that can be affixed atop the attachment component after the two extremities of the flexible band are joined in a loop.

FIG. 7 is a representation of the attachment device being permanently affixed as an integral part of the flexible band.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the accompanying figures, the invention is a device that is used as a stable hair tie while providing an aesthetically pleasing piece of apparel. It can also convert into a bracelet or can be used to secure elongated objects into bundles.

FIG. 1 described the unique and adjustable tightening system of the hair holding device which secure the section of hair effectively It consist of a rubber/silicone band containing various oval or circular apertures that are used to insert a dumbbell-shape attachment component. In order to fasten hair or other objects into a ponytail or a bundle, one of the disc or toroid capping the attachment component is inserted in one of the opening near the extremity of the band. The other extremity is then folded on itself and around the objects to be bundle. At this point, an opening near the other end of the band is used to insert the opposite toroid of the attachment component closing the loop section and forming a tight bundle or in this example a ponytail. This step is facilitated by the natural curved-shape of the said band.

The device described here consists of two detachable parts: an attachment component and a band component. As described in the embodiment detailed in FIG. 2, the attachment component resembles a dumbbell. It is symmetrical and is comprised of a hollow cylinder (1 and 3) containing three additional toroids of revolution or pierced-discs distributed along its length. One toroid partitioned the cylinder in two equal portions and is used as a physical separator when the band is in place (4). The cylinder is capped with two toroids, one at each end (2 and 5).

The second embodiment of the device is an open yet curved shape band made of silicon or similar stretchy material. As depicted in FIG. 3, the band is punctured along its length with circular apertures (1) smaller in diameter than the circumference of the toroid or pierced-discs capping the attachment component (2). The fact that the overall circumference of the two toroids capping the attachment component is only slightly wider than the apertures found on the band allow for the discs to be inserted easily into the apertures of the band. The attachment component is inserted by applying pressure against the aperture with the capping disc which will cause the aperture to stretch or expand outward and allow the disc to be inserted (3). Once inserted, the aperture on the band will move back to its original size and the attachment component will be securely in place.

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the mechanism allowing the silicone band to be closed into a loop. One capping toroid of the symmetrical attachment device is already inserted in one of the hole along the band. The holder is folded on itself to form a loop which brings the apertures located at the other extremity of the bands in proximity of the attachment component (1). The band is closed by inserting the second capping toroid or pierced disc (2) through one of the holes at the other extremity of the band (3) using the same technique as described in FIG. 3. The selection of the hole dictates the tightness of the device around a section of hair or elongated objects

FIG. 5 described how tightening adjustments can be performed with the hair holding device. The closed loop is formed by joining the two extremities of the silicone bands with the dumbbell-shape attachment device. As depicted in (1) the two most distal apertures in the band were selected giving the largest possible loop circumference. By selecting another aperture inward along the band the circumference of the loop can be reduced which allow the section of hair to be secured more tightly.

As shown on FIG. 6, the hair holding device can be decorated by using small ornamental objects or signs. To which small rods were attached, as shown here with the miniature soccer ball (1). The cylinder and the two toroids capping the attachment device create a longitudinal hollow section. This section can be used to insert the small rod attached to an ornamental object. The diameter of the rod is slightly smaller in diameter than the hollow section of the attachment device allowing the objects to be affixed non-permanently but securely to the hair holding device (2).

The attachment component of the hair holding device can also be permanently affixed to the band by having a protruding stem capped with a toroid as part of the band itself as depicted in FIG. 7

CITATION LIST Patent Citations

Filing Publication Cited Patent date date Applicant Title U.S. Pat. No. 1,743,567 Sep. 28, 1928 Jan. 14, 1930 Margaret Wrighton Elastic barrette U.S. Pat. No. 3,595,249. Feb. 20, 1969 Jul. 27, 1971 Nathan Solomon Hair Clasp U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,240 Dec. 21, 1998 Jul. 18, 2000 Wen-Hsivng Chang Hair Grip Device U.S. Pat. No. 6,257,249 Jul. 31, 1998 Jul. 10, 2001 Samuel L. Thomas & Hair Clamp Elizabeth G. Owen Thomas U.S. Pat. No. 6,311,699 Nov. 20, 2000 Nov. 06, 2001 Heidi C. Horman Ponytail Holder 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A hair holding device that is used for fastening hair or other elongated material into a tight bundle comprising of essentially two components, a flexible narrow band and an dumbbell-shape attachment device
 2. Said the band in claim 1 can be of various lengths and thickness and possesses multiple equidistant circular or oval apertures located at each extremity.
 3. Said the dumbbell-shape attachment device of claim 1 is composed of essentially four components: a hollow cylindrical portion onto which three toroids are attached, one in the medial portion of the cylinder and two capping the extremities of the cylinder.
 3. Said the capping portions of the dumbbell-shape attachment device of claim 1 are toroids of revolution that can be flat (a pierced disc) or a ring torus (doughtnut-shape) facilitating the insertion into the apertures of the band.
 4. Said the insertion of the capping-toroids of the attachment device of claim 1 in the apertures near both ends of the band is used to affix the attachment device onto the band component and to close the band into a loop.
 5. Said the attachment device described in claim 1 is hollow which permits the insertion of small decorative ornaments.
 6. Said the ends of the band of claims 1 can be joined into a loop and adjusted to wider or narrower sizes by inserting the capping-toroids of the dumbbell-shape attachment into distal or proximal apertures located at each extremity of the band.
 7. Said the band portion of claim 1 can be made of silicone or similar flexible and non-slippery light material that would be obvious to an artisan. 